The reform of the Act on Public Contracts is delayed - take the direct effect of EU law into consideration The Government bill for the reform of the Act on Public Contracts is currently being finalized at the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy. The purpose is, that the bill will be introduced to Finnish Parliament no later than June 2016. New legislation comes into force at earliest possibility, approximately at the end of this year. Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on public procurement provides that Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions no later than 18th April 2016. The direct effect of European law is a fundamental principle that enables individuals to immediately invoke a European provision even though the national legislation is not in force in spite of the obligations. Directive has the direct effect when its provisions are unconditional, sufficiently clear and precise and when the Member State has not implemented the directive by the deadline. The Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy has published on March 3rd 2016 a directive list of provisions which fall within the scope of the direct effect of the Directive. For example, the bidder could directly invoke these provisions even though the new Act on Public Contracts is not in force in Finland. Contracting authorities should take the regulations in question into consideration when planning competitive biddings. Prior mentioned directive list is available on the Ministry of Employment and the Economy's website. Provisions which are within the scope of the direct effect, are applied to contract award procedures which have commenced on or after April 18th 2016. It should also be noted that provisions concerning agreement changes shall be applied for contractual changes made since April 18th 2016 while the underlying contract award procedures would have been started already before the date in question. For more information on public procurement in Finland